Emma Sasse Custer Clapp
Emma Sasse Custer Clapp, 91, of Forsyth, formerly of Livingston, died Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2002, at the Rosebud Health Care Center in Forsyth. Mrs. Clapp was born Sept. 29, 1911, in Britton, S.D., the daughter of Gustav and Martha Schlelotte Sasse. She moved with her family in 1915 to Broadview and later to Clyde Park in 1926. Mrs. Clapp graduated from Billings High School in 1929. She received her nurses training in Billings and moved to Livingston, working at Memorial Hospital in Livingston. On Sept. 15, 1935, she and Claude Custer were married in Livingston. To this marriage were born three sons, John, Robert and Kenneth. On Jan. 16, 1963, she and Cedric Clapp were married. Mrs. Clapp continued to live in Livingston until 1999 when she moved to Forsyth where she had resided since. Mrs. Clapp was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and was an avid Democrat. She enjoyed playing cards, cooking and reading. Her survivors include three sons, John Custer, and his wife, Karen, of Lake Elsinore, Calif., Robert Custer, and his wife, Jeri, of Forsyth, and Kenneth George Custer of Mablevale, Ariz.; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by both of her husbands; four brothers, Carl, Fred, Alfred and Herman; and three sisters, Marie Lowry, Minnie Brown and Louise Baxter. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, 2002, in the Redeemer Lutheran Church at Livingston. Interment will follow in the Mountain View Cemetery at Livingston. Beals Mortuary of Forsyth is assisting the family with arrangements.

Valeria "Val" Cornett
Valeria "Val" Cornett, 49, of Forsyth, formerly of Miles City, died Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2002, in Miles City after a battle with cancer. She was surrounded by her loving family. Born March 3, 1953, in Mandan, N.D., she was the daughter of Lloyd and Beverly George South. She moved with her family to Miles City where she attended school. Following her schooling, she and Larry Christofferson were married in 1971 and to this union two children were born, Melissa and Justin. She later married Earnest Cornett in Riverton, Wyo., on April 17, 1982. They made their home in Forsyth where Mrs. Cornett worked for the First Montana Title Company. Mrs. Cornett was a member of the Forsyth Area Chamber of Commerce. She loved doing yard work, making creative crafts and was good with flowers. Christmas was her favorite time of year. She was an excellent cook and enjoyed spending time with the Speedway Coffee Crew, but most of all with her grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Her survivors include her mother, Beverly South of Miles City; her father, Lloyd South, and his wife, Holly, of Miles City; her husband, Earnest of Forsyth; a daughter, Melissa Rogers, and her husband, Justin, of Custer; a son, Justin Christofferson of Billings; and two granddaughters, Jessica Rogers and Lindsay Collins. Survivors also include three sisters, Ava Clauson, and her husband, Rod, Beva Meidinger and her husband, Clinton, and Tammy Wahl, and her husband, Terry, all of Miles City. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Floyd and Grace South and Elsie and John George. A prayer service will be held Friday, Oct. 4, 2002, at 7 p.m. in the chapel of Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, 2002, in the chapel of Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Forsyth. Interment will follow in the Forsyth Cemetery. Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home of Forsyth is in charge of arrangements. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to Holy Rosary Hospice, 2600 Wilson St., Miles City, MT 59301.

Bebe Jean "Jeanie" Iholts
Bebe Jean "Jeanie" Iholts, 77, of Forsyth died Sunday, Sept. 29, 2002, in the Billings Deaconess Hospital following a short battle with cancer. Born Oct. 8, 1924, in Miles City she was the daughter of Fred Henry and Jessie Emily Crawmer Cook. She and her family moved throughout the state of Montana, but returned to Miles City as she got older. She later graduated from Custer County High School. As a young lady, her father taught her to fly and later helped her receive a private pilots license. In January 1945, she entered the United States Army Air Corps and was stationed at Sheppard Field, Texas, as a ward master in the military hospital. Following her discharge from the service, she returned to Miles City where she married Richard Iholts on May 3, 1953. To this union, three children were born, Shawn "Ceann" in 1954, Terry in 1956 and Bonnie in 1960. Mr. and Mrs. Iholts made their home in Forsyth where they raised their children. During this time, Mrs. Iholts was active in the Episcopalian church for several years, the American Legion Auxiliary and also was a member of the 8 & 40 club of Forsyth and Miles City. She enjoyed her artwork, which included sketching, oil painting and doodling. Mrs. Iholts' other enjoyments included traveling, learning her Scottish heritage and her pets. She especially enjoyed her family and spoiling her grandchildren. Her survivors include her children, Ceann Eicholtz and Anne Doherty of Conshohocken, Pa., Terry Iholts and Judy Piper, and Bonnie Parton, and her husband, Duane, all of Forsyth; four grandchildren, Bronwen Liggett-Eicholtz and Katherine Liggett-Eicholtz, both of Harrisburg, Pa., and Erin Parton and Cameron Iholts, both of Forsyth. Survivors also include her three step-grandchildren, Rheannon Blevins and Jolene Pliley, both of Miles City and Amanda Iholts of Forsyth. She was preceded in death by her husband and one brother, Gary Cook. A memorial service will be held at a later date in the chapel of Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Forsyth. Burial will be in the Custer County Cemetery at Miles City. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or to a charity of one's choice.

Olga Roesler
Olga Roesler, 83, of Poway, Calif., formerly of Fallon and Terry, died Thursday, Sept. 26, 2002, at the Sunbridge Care and Rehabilitation Home in San Diego, Calif. Mrs. Roesler was born Aug. 22, 1919, in Germany, the daughter of Fredrick and Elizabeth Koppenstein Kron. She was educated in Germany and was mostly self-taught. In May 1951, the family moved to the United States. On March 1, 1953, she and Jacob Roesler were married in Fallon. They then moved to a farm near Fallon and farmed until 1979 when they moved to Terry. In July of 1990, Mr. and Mrs. Roesler moved to Poway. Mr. Roesler died Jan. 12, 1993, and Mrs. Roesler lived with her daughter, Yvette, until 1998 when she went to the Sunbridge Care and Rehabilitation Home where she resided until the time of her death. Mrs. Roesler loved flowers, the love of which she passed on to her daughter, Yvette, and her granddaughter. She enjoyed crocheting pillows, crafting with flowers and gardening. She also loved cooking, especially for her family. Survivors include two daughters, Yvette Klinert, and her husband, Charles, of Poway, and Donna Johnson, and her husband, Dennis, of Newcastle, Wyo.; two sons, Roy Roesler, and his wife, Sue, of Dickinson, N.D., and Robert Roesler of Mobridge, S.D.; three grandchildren, Crystal O'Lague, Dale Klinert and Darla Dunn; and five great-grandchildren, Brandon Klinert, Marcus Klinert, Michael O'Lague, Christina O'Lague and Braeden Dunn. Her survivors also include four sisters, Matilda Wagner, and her husband, Lawrence, of Circle, Jackie Meidinger, and her husband, Harold, of Fallon, Lydia Wenz and Ida Wenz, and her husband, Clarence, all of Plevna; one brother, Ted Kron, and his wife, Katie, of Sioux Falls, S.D.; and a sister-in-law, Marie Kron of Chicago, Ill. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a brother, Reinhold Kron. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, 2002, in Our Savior Lutheran Church in Glendive. Pastor James Hageman will officiate. Interment will officiate. Interment will be in the Dawson Memorial Cemetery at Glendive. Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home of Glendive is entrusted with arrangements.

Terry Herndon
Terry Herndon, 62, of Miles City died Nov. 18, 2002 at Fort Harrison's Veterans Affairs hospital. He was born Mar. 26, 1940 to Frank and Pearl Anderson Herndon. Mr. Herndon loved to read and enjoyed the cinema. Right after he graduated from Custer County High School in 1958, he attended electronic school in Denver. He then served four years in the United States Air Force. Coming back to Miles City, he worked at the Montana Theater until his death. In April 1973, he married Molly Slusher, which ended in divorce. He worked in television repair and owned the Custer TV and Sales shop from 1985 until his retirement last September. He was a member of the First Lutheran Church and was very interested in antique radios, old cars and phonographs. He was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include one brother, Hartley Herndon and his wife Arbilene; a nephew, Frank Herndon; a niece, Kristie Herndon, all of Minneapolis; two uncles, Andrew Carmen Anderson and his wife Joanne of Billings, Art Anderson of Seattle; and an aunt, Elsie Herndon of Miles City. He leaves several family members and many friends. Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26, at the First Lutheran Church of Miles City. Interment will follow at the Veterans Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the First Lutheran Church. Bullis-Graves Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Raymond "Ray" Oakland
Raymond "Ray" Olaf Oakland, 85, of Cartwright, N.D., died Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2002, in the Trinity Medical Center in Minot, N.D. Mr. Oakland was born June 10, 1917 to Olaf and Hilda Paulson Oakland at their home in Cartwright, N.D. He was baptized and confirmed in Bethel Lutheran Church and later became a member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Fairview, Mont. He attended school at Cartwright through the first eight grades and started farming with his dad and remained their until 1941, when he went to Downey, Calif. to work in defense at Vultee Aircraft Company. Following his call to service in 1942, during World War II, he spent a year in training in the states before going to England with the 8th United States Air Force as an aircraft mechanic. On Nov. 1, 1942, he married Winnie Williams at Clinton, Okla., before going overseas for three and a half years. He was stationed at Warton Air Base in England. Upon returning home he and Winnie came to Cartwright, where he began farming. It was here that they raised their family and spent their remaining years. Upon retirement the couple traveled extensively in the United States, Canada and Hawaii. Several winters were spent in California with friends, relatives and sightseeing. Mr. Oakland was a kind and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, spending many hours hunting, fishing and boating in his younger years with them. He will be most remembered for his find, caring and unselfish attitude. He was a member of the McKenzie County Grazing Association, school board member and 4-H leader as well as driving a school bus and being a substitute mail carrier. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, a daughter, Jane Oakland of Dallas, Ore.; sons, Paul Oakland and his wife Judy of Miles City, Dean Oakland and his wife Jan of Cartwright; grandchildren, Paul Oakland Jr., Shelly Stremcha, Jennifer Hirsch, Neil Oakland, Shauna Clark; great-grandchildren, Cole and Kaitlyn Hirsch and Kyra Oakland; brothers, Carl Oakland and his wife Marlene of Great Falls, Gordon Oakland and his wife JoAnne of Lambert; and a sister Irene Caldwell of Whitefish. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, 2002, at the Zion Lutheran Church in Fairview, under the direction of Fulkerson Funeral Home in Sidney. Interment will be in the Fairview Cemetery.

Leora "Jean" Sumer
Leora "Jean" Sumer, 71, of Miles City died Monday, Nov. 18, 2002, in the Holy Rosary Healthcare in Miles City. Born at home on Dec. 24, 1930, in Mobridge, S.D., she was the daughter of Henry and Laura Koenig Hamre. At a young age, she moved with her family to Miles City where she was raised and educated. She graduated from Custer County High School and following her education she worked for Burgee's Grocery. On July 8, 1951, she and Ralph Sumer were married in Miles City. Mrs. Sumer worked for Montgomery Wards for a few years. She then stayed home to raise her family. Later she worked as a bookkeeper at Mac's Frontierland and at Buttrey's as a cashier until her retirement. Mrs. Sumer loved books, crocheting and especially making crocheted dolls for her granddaughters. Her survivors include her husband of Miles City; two daughters, Debra Puckett, and her husband, Timothy, of Thornton, Colo., and Penny Schmidt, and her husband, Tom, of Lompoc, Calif.; and three grandchildren, Camille, Wendy and Nicholas. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Pamela; two sisters, Helena Winther and Micky Wortman; and two brothers, Al Hamre and Harley Hamre. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, 2002, in the chapel of Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will follow in the Custer County Cemetery. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Lupus Foundation of America, Inc., 1300 Piccard Dr. Suite 200, Rockerville, MD 20850-4303, phone 1-301-670-9292.

David C. Funk
David C. Funk, 91, of Lustre, father of Carol Toews of Miles City, died Sunday, Nov. 17, 2002, in the Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital in Glasgow. Mr. Funk was born Nov. 28, 1910, in Biggar, Saskatchewan, to Cornelius and Mary Funk. He lived there as a young boy and moved to the Lustre community when he was four years of age where his family homesteaded. In his younger years, he herded sheep and worked on harvest crews. He was the mail carrier in the Lustre and Frazer communities for 12 years. On Sept. 26, 1937, he and Bertha Rahn were married. They lived in Frazer for nine years, then moved to the Lustre community in 1948 where he farmed and ranched. In his retirement, Mr. Funk continued to help on the ranch until his death. He enjoyed riding a good horse, breaking colts, braiding ropes, hauling bales and playing his accordion. Mr. Funk will be remembered by his grandchildren for being their driving education instructor. He loved people and Jesus. In addition to his daughter and her husband, Carol and Eldon Toews of Miles City, his survivors include his wife, Bertha of 65 years of Lustre; a son, Gary, and his wife, Roxann Funk, of Lustre; another daughter, Arlene Stakset, and her husband, Henry, of Tacoma, Wash; 11 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and one sister, Rose Koski, and her husband, Bob, of Geyser. He was preceded in death by two brothers, four sisters and one son, LaVern. Funeral services will be at the E.M.B. Church in Lustre at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 22, 2002, with Pastor John Skillman officiating. Interment will be in the Bethel Lustre Cemetery. Clayton Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be given to the Gideons, Box 232, Wolf Point, MT 59201.

Anne Minow
Anne Minow, 84, of Olive died Sunday, Nov. 17, 2002, at the Deaconess Medical Center in Billings after a brief battle with throat cancer. Born in Streeter, N.D., on Sept. 25, 1918, she was the daughter of Nikolai and Mary Russiff Nenow. When she was eight years of age, her mother died, leaving her to help raise her brothers. Her step-mother, Pausha, became her new mother three years later and was a loving, caring influence on the family. Mrs. Minow attended country schools in the Street area. Following her schooling, she worked on the family farm. On June 26, 1938, she and Sam Minow were married in Streeter. They then moved to the family farm near Olive where they ranched and farmed since. Mrs. Minow's family meant everything to her and she especially enjoyed family gatherings, cooking her ethnic dishes, gardening, crocheting afghans for each of her grandchildren, playing cards and spending time with her husband tending to ranch work. She was a member of the St. Nicholas Orthodox Church and the Mizpah Ladies Aide. Her survivors include her husband of Olive; a son, Ben Minow, and his wife, Brenda, of Olive; two daughters, Mary Ann Stabio, and her husband, Vic, of Denver, Colo., and Patricia Sanburn, and her husband, Neal, of Sheridan, Wyo.; 17 grandchildren; and 24 great-grandchildren. Survivors also include six brothers, John Nenow of Waterloo, Iowa, Nick Nenow of Denver; Richard Nenow of Streeter; Jim Nenow of Sacramento, Calif., Mike Nenow of Jamestown, N.D., and Roger Nenow of Woodworth, N.D. She was preceded in death by a son, John Minow; three brothers, Nonie, Peter and George; and two sisters, Mary and Gena. A prayer services will be held Thursday, Nov. 21, 2002, at 6 p.m. in the chapel of Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will be Friday, Nov. 22, 2002, at 2 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. Interment will follow in the Custer County Cemetery. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or to the charity of one's choice.

Maxine Barnes
Maxine Barnes, 85, of Jordan died Saturday, Nov. 16, 2002, in the Garfield County Health Center at Jordan. Mrs. Barnes was born May 11, 1917, in the Abby Hospital at Miles City, the first of five children born to Victor and Carrie Ingram LaPine of Paris. She attended rural elementary schools at Timber Creek and Soda Creek and high school in Brockway and Circle, graduating from Circle in 1936. Following graduation she attended Townsend Beauty College in Billings. She worked for a short time as a beauty operator in Ekalaka. On July 13, 1940, she and Bill Milroy were married in Wolf Point. To this union five children were born, Clifford, Bonnie, Dean, Eva and Roy. The couple raised their family in Jordan where she continued to practice her beauty work by giving perms to neighbor ladies. In 1964 she was widowed and moved to Miles City in 1967. She and John Barnes were married Feb. 19, 1971. They lived at Cohagen until Mr. Barnes retired from ranching and moved into Miles City. After Mr. Barnes' death, Mrs. Barnes moved into Eagles Manor where she lived for several years until failing health prompted her to move to Garfield County Health Center in Jordan. She enjoyed her family coming to visit and was always ready to travel with them. Her survivors include five children, Dean Milroy of Miles City, Clifford, and his wife, Marj, of Scottsdale, Ariz., Bonnie, and her husband, Mike Wichers, of Vancouver, Wash., Eva, and her husband, Judd Twitchell, of Jordan, and Roy, and his wife, Connie, of Wolf Creek; four step-children, Jim Barnes of Miles City, Alan Barnes, and his wife, Karen, of Jordan, Bob Barnes of McDermit, Nev., and Kay Collins, and her husband, Jerry, of Cohagen; and seven grandchildren and step-grandchildren, Michael Twitchell, Carrie Wichers, Justin Milroy, Ginger Milroy, Toni Tivy, Allison Campbell and Neil Campbell. Survivors also include one sister, Eva Spaulding, and her husband, Burt, of Helena; a brother, Hershel, and his wife, Betty, of Salt Lake City, Utah; and one sister-in-law, Margaurete LaPine of Sioux Falls, S.D. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2002, in the chapel of Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will follow in the Custer County Cemetery in Miles City. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Garfield County Health Center in Jordan.

Inez N. Smith
Inez N. Smith, 99, died Thursday, Nov. 14, 2002, in the Powder River Manor at Broadus. Born Jan. 16, 1903, at her parents' ranch at Moorhead, she was the daughter of Frank T. and Lula Belle Miller Kelsey. She attended the Moorhead School and then Custer County High School in Miles City. Upon graduating, she attended one year at Redlands College in Redlands, Calif. She taught at country schools in Recluse, Wyo., and the Gaskill School in Powder River County. On Aug. 1, 1925, she and Carl M. Smith were married in the yard of the Frank Kelsey home. Mr. and Mrs. Smith made their home at the ranch on the Mizpah at Olive for 68-1/2 years. They raised two boys, Kenneth and Ted, and a daughter, Cora Mae. Mrs. Smith was active in the ranch work, her husband's legislative campaigns and many organizations. She was past matron of the Order of Eastern Star, a 4-H leader, a member of the CowBelles, the Epsie Home Demonstration Club and the Republican Women's Club. Mrs. Smith loved her garden, flowers, working outside, her grandchildren, bridge club, visiting her friends and the trips to Helena for the Legislature. Mr. Smith died in 1993 and Mrs. Smith lived alone in the "new house" they had build in 1942 for two more years. When she was 93 years of age and had lost most of her vision, she made the decision to move to the Powder River Manor in Broadus where she lived for six and one-half years. Her survivors include two sons, Kenneth Eugene Smith, and his wife, Coila of the home place, and Theodore Richard Smith and his wife, Ellen, of south of Broadus; one daughter, Cora Mae Ofstie, and her husband, Bob, of Amity, Ore.; nine grandchildren, Charles and Susan Smith, Eugene and Diane Smith, Terry and Kebi Smith, all of Olive, Elaine Smith-Keptner, and her husband, Michael, of Duluth, Minn., Cheri and Mark Collins of Thermopolis, Wyo., Mary and Chris Roig of Phoenix, Ariz., Annette Kircher and her fiancŽ, Charles Keller of Minot, N.D., Roseanne Ofstie of Newberg, Ore., and Sylvia Ofstie of Goleta, Calif.; 17 great-grandchildren, Lars and Philip Nelson, Matthew, Lisa and Katie Smith, Jessica, Samantha Jo and Jake Smith, Anna, Isaac and Margaret Roig, Amanda and Kayla Kircher, Christopher and Michelle Collins, and Justin and Kelsey Smith; a sister, Frances Eckerman of Sheridan, Wyo.; and numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2002, at 10 a.m. in the Powder River Manor in Broadus. Cremation has taken place with burial to be at a later date. Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home of Broadus is in charge of arrangements. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Powder River Manor Nursing Fund, Henry Malley Library or to the memorial of one's choice.

Gladys R. Murphy
Gladys R. Murphy, 79, of Miles City died Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2002, in the Holy Rosary Healthcare at Miles City. Mrs. Murphy was born Sept. 11, 1923, in Terry, the daughter of Roy and Myrtle Bice Buckingham. She grew up and attended school in Terry. She then graduated from nurses training in Miles City in 1945. On April 1, 1945, she and Alvin Murphy were married in Forsyth. Mrs. Murphy worked at the Holy Rosary Hospital in Miles City for several years. She also helped in the family trucking business, retiring in 1984. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her survivors include her son, Richard Murphy, and his wife, Donna, of Miles City; a sister, Eva Youngbauer, her husband, Ray, and their daughter, Judy Branum of Miles City; two grandchildren, Stephanie Birkeland, and her husband, Michael, of Miles City and Charlene Eckhoff, and her husband, Robert, of East Williston, N.Y.; five great-grandchildren, Kelsey, Tyler and Lindsay Eckhoff and Brett and Brandon Birkeland; and a special friend, Betty Luck of Miles City. She was preceded in death by her husband in 2000, six brothers and two sisters. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15, 2002, in the chapel of Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will follow in the Custer County Cemetery. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 24 N. 11th St., Miles City, MT 59301 or to the charity of one's choice.

Randall Richard "Rich" Flint
Randall Richard "Rich" Flint, 27, of Gillette, Wyo., former Little Powder area resident, died Friday, Nov. 8, 2002, as a result of an automobile accident. Born Feb. 28, 1975, in Buffalo, Wyo., he was the son of Randy and Glenda Flint. He was raised and educated in Campbell County, Wyoming. From the time he was four years of age, he was involved in the Amateur Athletic Union and USA wrestling and continued wrestling through junior high school. He was awarded the Twin Spruce Wrestler of the Year while attending school there. Mr. Flint also attended the Little Powder School and enjoyed playing basketball with his friends on the school team. In high school, he was on the rodeo team. In 1993, he made it to the National Rodeo Finals in team roping and was proud to do so. Upon graduation, Mr. Flint attended the University of Wyoming for a semester, then transferred to Black Hills State University in Spearfish, S.D., for a short time, then onto Brookings, S.D., for two years. He returned to the University of Wyoming at Laramie, graduating in 1999 with a bachelor's degree in business administration. During college at the University of Wyoming, he was on the rodeo team. Mr. Flint returned to Gillette and had many different jobs and loved every one. One of his favorites was with the Campbell County School District as a substitute teacher. He enjoyed the honesty and acceptance of a child, which was reflected in his special relationship with his niece, Natalee. He enjoyed playing pool and foos ball with his many friends from all walks of life. Mr. Flint always had a rope in his hand and loved doing tricks. His survivors include his parents, his father, Randy of Recluse, Wyo., and his mother, Glenda of the Little Powder community; three brothers, Rhett Flint, and his wife, Natasha, of Gillette, Gavin Flint of Laramie, and Gerrad Flint of the Little Powder community; his niece, Natalee Flint; his maternal grandmother, Myrtle May; his paternal grandmother, Helen Flint; many aunts, uncles and cousins; and countless friends. He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Richard Flint and Glen May. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15, 2002, in the New Life Wesleyan Church in Wyoming with the Rev. Andrew Carsrud officiating. Interment will follow in the Mt. Pisgah Cemetery in Gillette. Memorials are suggested to the Rich Flint Memorial Scholarship. Donations may be sent in care of the Stevenson-Wilson Funeral Home, 210 W. Fifth St., Gillette, WY 82718.

Robert Edmund "Bob" O'Such
Robert Edmund "Bob" O'Such, 60, of Miles City died Saturday, Nov. 9, 2002, in the Holy Rosary Extended Care Facility. Born Aug. 15, 1942, in Miles City, he was the son of Charles Edward and Mildred Irene Bensel O'Such. He grew up and attended schools in Miles City. Following his schooling, he did lawn and yard work in Miles City. In 1974, he moved to Anaconda where he worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant. Later he moved back to Miles City where he went to work at Flying J as a maintenance man. Mr. O'Such enjoyed music, plastic canvas, bead work and spending time with his loved ones and his baby cat, Prince. His survivors include his mother, Mildred O'Such of Miles City; his cousins, Phillip Reed II, Margaret and Jack Nebeker, Richard Rub and Mary and Timothy Meehan, all of Anaconda, and Linda and John Tate of Powderville. A prayer service will be held Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2002, at 6 p.m. in the chapel of Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home. The Rev. Jim Head of the Wesleyan Church will officiate. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14, 2002, in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Interment will follow in the Custer County Cemetery.

Tori Ray Franklin
Tori Ray Franklin, 31, of Broadus died Friday, Nov. 8, 2002, as a result of a ranching accident. Born May 4, 1971, in Miles City, he was the son of Clifford and Patricia Mitchell Franklin. He attended school in Broadus and graduated from Powder River County High School in 1989. After his schooling, he worked for King Saddlery in Sheridan, Wyo. He then returned to the family ranch where he worked until the time of his death. He loved to rope, hunt, fish and golf, but most of all he loved being with his friends and family and spending time on the ranch. His survivors include his wife, Christine of Broadus; his two children, Dani and Tyler Franklin of the family home; his mother, Patricia Franklin of Boyes; his grandmother, Jean Sterling of Broadus; and a sister, Hattie Bice, and her children, Gunner and Bailey of South Broadus. He was preceded in death by a son, Chantz Franklin, in 1990; his father, Clifford Franklin in 2001; his grandfather, Keats Franklin; his step-grandfather, Glen Riter; and his grandparents, Ray and France Mitchell. Funeral services will be Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2002, at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Broadus. Interment will follow in the Valley View Cemetery at Broadus. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the charity of one's choice.

Charles "Charlie" W. Jessen
Charles "Charlie" W. Jessen, 71, of Jordan died Friday, Nov. 8, 2002, at the family home in Jordan surrounded by his family and special friend, Maxine, after a long battle with cancer. Born Nov. 3, 1931, south of Miles City on Jack Creek, he was the son of William and Margaret Pursell Jessen. He attended school in Jordan. In 1949, he enlisted in the United States Armed Forces, serving in Okinawa. He was honorably discharged in 1953. On April 13, 1952, he and Esther Rath were united in marriage at the Lutheran Church in Jordan. They shared 44 years together before she was taken from the family by cancer in 1996. Mr. Jessen worked on many area ranches, was a butcher for years at Baan Willies' store and then worked for Mid-Rivers Telephone Company until he retired in 1990. He enjoyed camping, boating, fishing and traveling. He also enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. Mr. Jessen had a special place in his heart for his pets. Survivors include three daughters and their husbands, Penny and Dale Wells of Meeteetse, Wyo., Elayne and Daryl Hinther of Jordan and Patricia and Ed DeLeon of Torrington, Wyo.; two sons and their wives, Chuck and Karlan Jessen of Tacoma, Wash., and Duane and Terri Jessen of Jordan; eight grandchildren, Kevin and Lisa Wells of Fort Drum, NY, Nickie Wells of Townsend, Michael West of Denver, Colo., Misty and Robert Wilber of Belle Fourche, S.D., Jordan and Rath Jessen of Tacoma, Wash., Tiffany Jessen of Spearfish, S.D., and Macaela Jessen of Jordan; and three great-grandchildren, Trenton Wells of New York and Dylan and Hayley Wilber of South Dakota. Survivors also include a sister, Barbara Gibson of Miles City; several nieces, nephews and in-laws; and a special friend, Maxine Sickles, and her family. In addition to his wife, Esther, he was preceded in death by his father, William, in 1965 and his mother, Margaret in 2002. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2002, in the Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall at Jordan. Interment will follow in the Hearts of Peace Cemetery in Brusset. Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home of Jordan is in charge of the arrangements. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Garfield County Health Center in Jordan or to the charity of one's choice.

Magnus Andrew Markuson
Funeral services for Magnus Andrew Markuson, 93, of Ekalaka were held Saturday morning, Nov. 9, 2002, in the Carter County High School gym at Ekalaka. Interment followed in the Beaverlodge Cemetery at Ekalaka. Mr. Markuson died Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2002, in the Dahl Memorial Nursing Home at Ekalaka. Born July 26, 1909, on the family ranch northwest of Ekalaka, he was the son of Norwegian Immigrants Ole and Christina Ohme Markuson. He attended various country grade schools near the ranch and graduated from Carter County High School in Ekalaka in 1927. He attended Montana State College in Bozeman in 1928, completing the one-year ag short course. Upon completion of college, he returned to the family ranch. Mr. Markuson's father died in 1933 and his mother died in 1934. Because they had no wills, a judge divided the ranch between Mr. Markuson's sister, Anna, and him. All of this happened going into the Great Depression and the tough times he endured in those years molded Mr. Markuson's character for the remained of his life. On Nov. 2, 1935, he and Olive Dean were married. They shared more than 53 years together until her death in 1989. Mr. Markuson remained active in the ranching operation until 1998 when he retired at the age of 89 years. He served as Carter County Commissioner for 17 years. During that time he was instrumental in the renovation of Camp Needmore and assisted in the maintenance of the facility for more than 29 years. An avid fan of all sports and country music, he closely followed the daily news, keeping track of local, national and world events. He was particularly interested, though not always amused, with the government process. His survivors include three sons, Stanley Markuson, and his wife, Nancy, of Miles City, Milton Markuson, and his wife, Janice, of Ekalaka and Ronald Markuson, and his wife, Marilee of Glendive; his sister, Anna Meyer of Ekalaka; his grandchildren, Karen Kreitel, and her husband, Les, Tyler and his wife, Robin, Carla, Amber Pete, Megan Markuson and granddaughter-in-law, Brenda Markuson; and his great-grandchildren, Dana Kreitel, Tara, Jennifer and Ami Markuson. Survivors also include his brother-in-law and sisters-in law, Leslie and Nellie Dean, Helen Dean and Patricia Freese; and long-time friend, Jack Heron of Muleshoe, Texas. In addition to his wife, Olive, he was preceded in death by his parents; his grandson, Steve Markuson; and his brothers-in-law, Francis Freese, Chet Meyer and Rankin Dean. Should friends desire, memorials may be given to the Dahl Memorial Nursing Home or to Cam Needmore, both of Ekalaka. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Stevenson Funeral Homes, Inc. of Baker and Ekalaka.